Rooted and Grounded

He specifically told me I was to come home because I needed to be rooted and grounded. I thought that had meant that had meant a grace and truth kinda thing: I needed people around me, for God to continue revealing truth, knowing and learning better who I am, who He has made me to be, living that out. This is what the season was supposed to be made of, right?...and it just kept coming up, over and over, rooted and grounded...but I was soon to find out that it was so much more simple and fundamental, but of so much greater importance.

"...and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."

And then it hit me. It was never about doing more, knowing more, being more, needing more. It was simply to be rooted and grounded in LOVE. How I missed that before, I don't know. I am loved. And He just wanted(wants) me to know it to the full extent. That's all, that's what's important.

Rooted and grounded in His love. And everything growing out of that. I used to think to walk in love meant showing others His love. But I must first walk in His love for me. His love is deep, it surrounds us, it is all around. With out that- we die. We can't flourish. We're not alive. But we can be. We so can be rooted and grounded in Him, the wind, the floods, the drought, all these won't consume us.

His love is like
Like a warm bed in a cold house
Like friends that bring egg nog and whipped cream
Like grace that's sufficient during long weeks
Like teen girls that say they love having you around
Like monetary tips
Like time
Like prayer on the family room floor
Like chores done
Like the changing of the seasons
Like gusts of fresh air
His love is like
Knowing that whatever comes
He goes with me
That it's not a destination
It's following
That each delay
Is a lesson learned
That I am His
Every day of may life
That there's not a thing He wouldn't do
Laughing at pin points of my life
Because this is His delight
I see His love in the sunrises and sunsets
In the sleepy faces of my nephews
In the smell of the moist forest floor
In sips of coffee as I sit by myself at His side
In glimpses of memories from previous years
In simplicity
In strong hands
And old ladies and gents
Through sun pouring through windows
And chocolate bars thrown into your lap
Heard in songs that say the same
In living from victory
Not for victory
In rest
In naps
In contentedness
My heart swells
Knowing He is able
Seeing He is sure
Sensing His nearness
Feeling His touch
Eyes wet for more
Believing what He promises
Because of His great love

"Lord, whatever comes
Make me steadfast, make me rooted
A cedar planted firm, deeply grounded in Your goodness"